How to get started writing
So you’re ready to start writing you're book. The only problem is nothing is coming out. All of those ideas you had before have fled from you. Not to mention the blank screen/paper has nothing on it and making you feel less and less prepared for this author journey. We have all been there at one time or another. Today I want to share some pre-writing strategies you can use to help you feel more prepared when you sit down to write your first draft.
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- Find Your Idea- Ideas are all around you. You might draw inspiration from a routine, an everyday situation or a memory/experience. Alternatively, keep a notebook specifically devoted to catching your ideas as they come to you. This way when you sit down you are not trying to remember all the memories and ideas they are already listed out for you to pull from.
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- Build On Your Idea- Two of the most popular methods for breaking down your idea's are free writing and brainstorming. Free writing means writing every idea that comes into your head. Do not stop to edit your mistakes, just let the ideas flow. Or, try brainstorming. If you're on a computer, it may help you to try physically writing first to help you visualize your narrative: write your idea in the center of the page and work outwards in all of the different directions you can take your story.
- Plan and Structure- A good writing session begins with a plan. Even if you don't follow it completely you want to have some ideas for where to begin.Identify the best time and location to write and eliminate potential distractions. Make writing a regular part of your day. Identify your goal for the session and what that looks like. For example you may say I am setting aside one hour. Thirty minutes will be a writing prompt and the last thirty minutes will be chapter 7 of my book. Having some sort of layout will reduce the overwhelm when you're ready to start writing.
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- Writing- Now you have your plan and you’re ready to start writing. Remember, this is your first rough draft. Also remember that NOBODY in the history of writing ever wants to publish a first draft and that is because most first rough drafts are ROUGH, hence the name. So take the pressure of of yourself and remember this is why you will have an editor. So forget about word count and grammar. Don’t worry if you stray off topic in places. View this stage as more of a free writing exercise, just with more direction.
Now go ahead and get started!!
- Writing- Now you have your plan and you’re ready to start writing. Remember, this is your first rough draft. Also remember that NOBODY in the history of writing ever wants to publish a first draft and that is because most first rough drafts are ROUGH, hence the name. So take the pressure of of yourself and remember this is why you will have an editor. So forget about word count and grammar. Don’t worry if you stray off topic in places. View this stage as more of a free writing exercise, just with more direction.
If you're looking for some support on the author journey I have just the thing for you. You can sign up for my 5 day book writing jump start challenge for FREE here!
Check out my latest video on pre-writing strategies here!
